Hello, hello!

If you’re reading this, and like us you have also been watching the news—oversaturated with the news, you might have seen the IPCC Report released yesterday. This piece by Yessenia Funes for Atmos is worth a read, quoting from Policy Director Rachel Cleetus at the Union of Concerned Scientists, “The reality is that this is no longer about future projections. This is about here and now.” It is for those experiencing wildfires, heatwaves and flooding. For the Pacific, the report puts forward catastrophic scenarios. It’s not hopeful.

It’s a really common thing that you see in the sustainability or eco-friendly space, that it’s always on the individual. It’s easier to get rid of straws than address all the other issues. There’s a lot of denials. People don’t want to think about the fact that we don’t have a lot of time left, about how it’s impacting life as they know it. We want to continue to remind people that climate is the most pressing issue, but it should empower us–and it can be fun and educational and informative and not (too) overwhelming.

Vote for those who want to act on the climate crisis, manifest your disagreement, switch to a plant-based diet, support biodiversity, try to eat more organic, and take public transport [here in Auckland, it is so hard to choose public transport!] The people in charge are not competent. They don’t have the mindset towards a green city—look at how our urban design DESPITE millions of global working examples.

In a recent newsletter, James Clear wrote "Working on a problem reduces the fear of it. Action relieves anxiety." Be empowered. Take action. This weekend we are planting trees, to support biodiversity and regenerate local vegetation. What will you do this month? Send a reply and let us know!

Shifting to a vegan diet for the planet, animals or health doesn’t mean we have to deny our food culture. So it was a question of time that we come up with a plant-based version of a French classic, the pâté, also called “terrine”. This highly nutritive and health-supporting vegan mushroom pâté recipe is easy, deliciously earthy and simple to make. On grazing platters, or snacking, pull out the blender, gather mushrooms and you’ll be on your way to creating a healthier version of a French favourite.

Can you have glowing skin in the middle of winter? Yes, you can. This is your how-to on getting the glow at home—the daily rituals, the exfoliators, serums and moisturisers to resurface, rebuild collagen and plump for a seemingly poreless complexion. But obviously all vegan, cruelty-free.

Our friend Isabel Forner PhD shares her latest research of pesticide exposure and impacts on zebrafish. And, yes, this has lessons for us all. With excessive global pesticide application in agriculture, this article provides considerations for our diets and health. Pesticides are a major buzzkill and we do our best to eat organic where possible—though we recognise it might not always be the most accessible for everyone.

Scientific literature isn’t always either. Science is often made out to be like it is not for ‘us’, the non-scientists, but it is vital we raise our level of scientific literacy. That we all do. When we are able to think critically, we are able to have a better understanding of what is going on, what choices are the best to make for our bodies and our environment.

We finally got around to preparing falafel from scratch, and yes, it is not as hard as one might think! This delicious combination of greens, baked veggies and kraut, topped with hemp seeds and generous spoonfuls of hummus taps into the never-ending power of plants. Be prepared to thrive.

1. In the Hauraki Gulf where we live, there is an island called Waiheke. A weekend getaway for city dwellers, also a place for biodiversity to thrive, including endemic endangered species such as the kororā, little blue penguin—a taonga species for the local Māori tribe, Ngāti Paoa. However, as it often happened in New Zealand, Waiheke became a target for the wealthiest and their lifestyles. There is a project proposed for Kennedy Point, in Pūtiki Bay, of a super marina where the privileged will park their multi-million dollar boats and cars. These developments alter the environment. They privatise public land, bring nothing to the community, do not support biodiversity nor mitigate climate change impacts. Different priorities are relevant at this stage.
   Construction work has already started at Pūtiki, under the vigilance of the tax-payers funded police. The group “Protect Pūtiki”, led by Ngāti Paoa Emily Māia Weiss, is standing in resistance to stop the project. They need our support. If you are feeling powerless, disengaged in the face of climate change, supporting activists such as “Protect Pūtiki” is an opportunity to do something tangible, with significant impact. You can sign the petition, donate to support their efforts, share the words or give your time somehow. Contributing means protecting our environment, raising our voice against destruction, and also recognising the rights of Natives people to exercise their stewardship role over this planet. Take action.
   
   
2. Life is pleasantly strange sometimes. You discover something you relate to, and people come to you about the same subject, thinking you will be interested! “You have to read this book!” That is what happened with Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman. I read online this amazing quote from there: “History teaches that progress often begins with people [...] People with the nerve to get on their soapbox at social occasions. Who raise unpleasant subjects that make you uneasy. Cherish these people, because they’re the key to progress” It got me thinking to all the trailblazers out there, focusing their energy (or pissing off the everyday people!) towards positive change in their community, or wider. If you need to know more before buying, here is an in-depth review of the book by the Guardian—but this is it, I found my next lecture.
   
   
3. I recently ran out of my Coola face sunscreen. It’s not like I buy tons of skincare products per month, still, I am interested in everything related to skin and beauty. Finishing a product is an opportunity to try a different brand. This time, I went for one of Dr Dennis Gross sunscreens —SPF 50 always, containing a physical UV filter, deprived of harmful or presumed harmful chemical compounds damaging our ocean life. I love it!

1. Incense is one of my most important rituals to start and end the day—a sort of energy reset. The profound effects of scent [I feel at least] ground me down while leaving behind an earthy sweetness in its wake. Current favourites include Ayu and a more recent discovery, Dutchies, which produce a softer smoke. Any other recommendations, send me a reply.
   
   
2. Not-so-fun fact, 450,000 homes located within a kilometre of the coast will begin to lose private insurance coverage within ten years. I purchased this issue of the Listener, enquiring who should pay for the retreat from flooded coastlines. Most councils factor in planning for 23 cm to 37 cm of sea-level rise by 2050—though outcomes are projected to be worse. If a property has even a 1% chance with current sea levels, at 2%, we would expect to see a partial insurance retreat. As the Chief Executive of The New Zealand Insurance Council stated, “Insurers will not cover sea-level rise specifically because there’s nothing unforeseen about it.”
   
   
3. Our nature is to share and support our community and Amandine had recently mentioned a friend that pickles and ferments. Her company—last jar, consists of a rotating line of condiments, pickles and ferments. Give them a follow, and if you’re Auckland based, find them at a local farmers market.

Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails.
We look forward to hearing from you!

Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua